Democratic candidates associated with the far-left legislative “Squad” lost all six Illinois House primary races on Tuesday evening, dealing a significant blow to their hopes of taking control of the party after the November midterms.
“Being endorsed by @BernieSanders, @RoKhanna, @justicedems and @sunrisemvmt was a kiss of death in Illinois,” the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) cheered on X as the results were tallied. “Democratic voters rejected their extreme anti-Israel candidates, instead choosing mainstream candidates. AIPAC is proud to help defeat six would-be Squad members tonight!”
“Perhaps the most significant defeat for the far left was influencer Kat Abughazaleh’s loss to Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss in the 9th Congressional District. Biss and Abughazaleh held many identical stances, such as wanting to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement and endorsing a single-payer health care system,” the New York Post reported, adding: “Biss was also backed by Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairman Greg Casar (D-Texas), former CPC Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).”
Abughazaleh adopted significantly bolder tactics, however. In fact, she was arrested and charged last year for attempting to obstruct ICE during a protest in Broadview, Illinois, in September 2025.
The Palestinian-American activist received support from left-wing Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), but their backing was not enough to help her overcome Biss.
In addition to Abughazaleh, AIPAC also targeted several other candidates in Illinois.
These included activist Kina Collins in the 7th District, tech businessman Junaid Ahmed, and Village of Hanover Park Trustee Yasmeen Bankole in the 8th District.
In the 9th District, Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala also ran against Biss, Abughazaleh, and 12 other Democratic candidates.
For that district, AIPAC supported state Sen. Laura Fine (D-Chicago), who finished third behind Biss and Abughazaleh.
Meanwhile, Republican voters appear to have already settled on a candidate for the 2028 presidential election cycle, according to a report published this week.
Vice President JD Vance remains the favored pick, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has advanced in The Center Square’s latest Voters’ Voice Poll.
“The poll surveyed 952 Republicans and 225 independents who lean Republican across the country, asking them to choose from 15 prominent figures in conservative politics or select ‘someone else’ or ‘not sure,’” the outlet reported.
“Vance was the first choice by a landslide, with 36% of respondents selecting the current vice president. He drew nearly twice as much support as Donald Trump Jr., the second-most popular choice at 19%. An additional 14% said they were not sure, rounding out the top 70% of respondents,” the outlet added.
Vance and Trump Jr. both saw declines in support compared to results from an October Voters’ Voice Poll, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio gained ground.
In the latest poll, Rubio received 9 percent overall, placing third among the listed candidates and emerging as the second-most popular option among independent voters.
In October, Vance had the support of 38 percent of Republican respondents and 41 percent of independents. In the latest survey, those figures declined to 36 percent among Republicans and 33 percent among independents.
Trump Jr. also saw a drop, with support falling from 26 percent among Republicans and 13 percent among right-leaning independents in October to 20 percent and 8 percent, respectively, The Center Square reported.
By contrast, Rubio’s support increased from 4 percent among Republicans in October — when he trailed Ron DeSantis — to 9 percent in the latest poll.
Among independents, Rubio rose to 15 percent, surpassing Trump Jr., who registered 8 percent in that group.
In earlier polling, Vance performed better among women than men, with support at 40 percent compared to 36 percent. In the latest survey, that pattern reversed, with 39 percent of men backing Vance compared to 33 percent of women.
Among female respondents, Rubio received 11 percent support, compared to 8 percent among men.